Self-Paced Courses: Explore American history with top historians at your own time and pace!
28 May 1801
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)
to Maria Eppes
Writes to his daughter about her health, his desire for Maria's presence in capital, and planning for her to visit. Waterstaining slightly obscures the text.
GLC03641
14 April 1813
Adams, Abigail (1744-1818)
to Catherine Smith
Writes to her granddaughter that parting with the children was "a weight upon my heart." Mourns the death of a sister, who was not able to say goodbye to her husband and children. Thanks Catherine for her letter and says she is longing to see her...
GLC03889
3 December 1807
to Henry Voigt
Commissions Voight to make him a gold watch for his granddaughter.
GLC03941
27 February 1798
Washington, George (1732-1799)
to William A. Washington
Commisserates with his nephew, Colonel William A. Washington, on the death of his wife. Regrets he cannot find employment for Mr. Ashton, who had been recommended to him by his nephew, as he already has hired a clerk. Notes the grains he uses to make...
GLC04445
23 May 1785
to Burwell Bassett
Mentions that he would have enjoyed seeing him at Richmond if it had been possible. Remarks that an artist, Mr. Pine, was at Mount Vernon and had to wait for him to return to do his historical painting. Comments on the engagement of his nephew...
GLC04709
13 May 1806
Marshall, John (1755-1835)
[Certifying "true copy" a Thomas Jefferson letter to John Walker]
Marshall's endorsement certifies this "true copy from the original shown me by Mr. Walker which I believe to be in the hand writing of Mr. Jefferson." James Madison also certified the letter, but his certification is written in Marshall's hand. The...
GLC05506
1 January 1814
Wilson, John (1777-1848)
to Aaron Hobart
On the political matters of the day he describes Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin, who later that year was appointed one of the commissioners to negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, "as the Political index to guide us in the path to be pursued...
GLC06313.04.031
27 March 1791
to Tobias Lear
Writes about household affairs at Mount Vernon. Discusses the staff and forbids the steward from having wine. Asks him to keep the garden in order. Asks Lear to, "Furnish Mrs. Washington with what money she may want and from time to time ask her...
GLC06431
1808/12/29
to Dr. William Bentley re: thanks for botanical specimens and illustrations
President Jefferson, writing shortly after his last Christmas in the White House, acknowledges receipt of the gift of some botanical speciments and drawings from the pen of Miss Crownenshield. Bentley (1759-1819) was a Unitarian Minister in Salem...
GLC06675
1 November 1805
Madison, James (1751-1836)
to William Jarvis
Secretary of State Madison discusses wine, crops, Dolley's health, and problems with Europe. Jarvis was American consul at Lisbon.
GLC03330
29 April 1793
to Robert Lewis
Gives to his nephew "The Land which was given to me by my Mother, or as Heir at law I am entitled I do," as a present. Describes the tract in Virginia. Also asks if "Major Harrison went to Mount Vernon as you expected" and about Harrison's...
GLC08930
1786 circa
Macaulay, Catharine (1731-1791)
to Jonathan Clarke
Presents her compliments to Mr. Clarke, thanks him for the polite note, and wishes him a good voyage and the best health. Asks Clarke to give her compliments to Mr. Adams. Envelope is addressed to Mr. Clarke, No. 55 St. Paul's Church Yard....
GLC01450.032.02
8 September 1787
to Mrs. Elizabeth Powel
Thanks her for a reflecting lamp that was apparently a new and unusual European import. Comments, "The benefits which will flow from the general use of such Lamps, are too apparent for the light of them to be long hid from the American World."
GLC01646
6 January 1790
to Mary Katherine Goddard
Washington responds to a previous letter from Goddard, who requested his intervention in her replacement as postmaster of Baltimore, Maryland. Replies that "the Resolutions and Ordinances establishing the Post-Office under the former Congress, and...
GLC01747
5 March 1814
Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814)
to James Madison
Responds to a letter from Madison in which he told Gerry that Parliament had abolished the Courts of Session in Middlesex. Gerry considers the news "laughable." In a long note after his signature he comments on the popularity of a certain Mrs...
GLC01814
29 November 1814
to Richard Rush
Addressed to Rush as Attorney General in Washington, D.C. Encloses a letter received from her son, John Quincy Adams, to the President, James Madison, and states that he may read the political parts to the President if he desires. States that the...
GLC02291
18 September 1808
Randolph, John (1783-1833)
to Frances Bland Coalter
Written by Randolph as a Virginia Congressman to his sister. Writes after learning she has been ill and hopes to visit the warm springs at which she is recuperating. Says he would have been home sooner but an unexpected demand for money left him...
GLC00496.212
29 September 1794
Washington, Martha (1731-1801)
to Fanny Bassett Washington
Discusses Fanny's children's health and schooling, and a possible suitor named Tobias Lear, who was Washington's secretary. In regard to the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania, she notes that "The insurgents in the back country has carr[i]ed...
GLC01055
1795/01/28
Lear, Tobias (1762-1816)
to Mary S. Lear [Tobias' mother] re: family matters
Lear apologizes for not writing his mother, complaining that, due to extensive business duties, "I find myself so closely and unremittingly engaged that I begin to feel the effects of it on my health--[.]" Includes lengthy riscussion of Lear's...
GLC02794.037
1796/11/16
to Tobias Lear re: misplaced Bank shares, Washington Custis' dislike of school
Written while serving as President. Apologizes for misplacing Bank of Columbia certificates, which he has found. Mentions business of Mr. [William?] Dandridge, and Washington Custis' difficulties adjusting to Princeton College. "Maria" is Anna...
GLC02794.042
1800/07/24
to David Humphreys re: thanks for condolences, Washington family news
Written on behalf of Martha Washington: "she has a grateful heart for these tributes of respect & veneration paid to the memory of her dear deceased husband." Also gives news of the Washington family, especially marriages of George Washington's...
GLC02794.043
1800/11/11
Washington, Martha
to Mrs. Mary S. Lear re: Tobias Lear's health and illnesses in family and slaves
Mary Lear was Tobias Lear's mother. Contains much news of the Mount Vernon estate. "[A]ll my family whites, and Blacks, have been very sick, many of them very ill. -- Thank god they have all recovered again and I was so fortunate as not loose [sic]...
GLC02794.044
23 December 1791
[An Act making Appropriations for the Support of Government for the Year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two].
Signed by Secretary of State Jefferson, and countersigned in type by Speaker of the House Jonathan Trumbull, Vice President Adams, and President Washington. The act details the federal budget for 1792. Issued by the Second Congress of the United...
GLC03014
24 March 1785
Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
to George Washington
Requests a certificate from Washington for Winthrop Sargent, who Knox describes as "really clever and... an excellent artillery officer." Promises to procure limestone when the weather improves. Discusses Washington's refusal of a gift from the...
GLC02437.03118
29 March 1785
Knox introduces Catharine Macaulay Graham and her husband, James Graham, to Washington. Writes, "a glorious enthusiasm for the cause of general liberty and human happiness, has impelled this lady and her husband, to cross the atlantic to visit that...
GLC02437.03122
Showing results 1 - 25